Job Discussion Forums

[anrkorea13]

I have tentatively accepted a job as an EFL instructor at TOBB University in Ankara for the upcoming academic year. The pay is outstanding for Turkey, the working conditions look reasonable and my interactions with the people there have so far been positive. Oh, and they cover your accommodation if you stay on campus.

So, my question is, has anyone ever taught there as an EFL instructor, and if so, how was your experience? Or, if you have heard anything about the school from anyone who has taught there, that would be much appreciated as well.

Thanks!

[anrkorea13]

I might as well add that I'd love to hear opinions of those who have actually lived in Ankara. Specifically, if you have any thoughts on music, nightlife, and sporting opportunities for Westerners.

I'm not super into the bar/club scene, but I play guitar and sing and would like to do so in public - are there places that have informal live music, like coffee shops here in the States?

Also, I started taekwondo recently, and a Google search confirms that people do it somewhere in Ankara, so if anyone knows has or knows someone who has taken a martial arts class in Ankara, can you comment on that too?

Thanks so much!

[philotaster]

While I myself don't have any direct experience with TOBB, my wife has been working there for nearly a full academic year. Her biggest complaint by far is with student motivation. Students at TOBB are forced to take a year-long english prep program, and most of them don't care about it. As TOBB is a private university, it has a small number of highly qualified students who are there on scholarship, and a much larger number of students whose only qualification is that their parents can shell out full tuition payments. It can be really difficult to motivate these students, who act more like primary schoolers than adults in their first year of university. There are also some weird rules that the management at TOBB insists on which, I think, reinforce the child-like behavior of the students: no bathroom breaks during their 90 minute classes; if a student comes late, even by 30 seconds, management insists that they be turned away from the class; likewise classes can't end early, or rather students can't leave early (management only cares that students be physically in the classes. They don't offer any advice about how to deal with students who sleep, play video games, or watch tv series during the lessons).

As far as TOBB's location, it is unfortunately a bit removed from the more fun parts of Ankara. TOBB's neighborhood is called Sogutozu, and it is mostly comprised of giant shopping centers, high-rise apartments, and 6-lines highways. You will need to take a bus into town, the entire commute lasting 30-60 minutes depending on the time of day. If the pay is as outstanding as you say, you should consider buying a car.

I don't think you'll find any place to perform in Sogutozu, but in Kizilay and Tunali there are loads of little bars and cafes with live music. Solo acoustic guitar players are especially popular.

Ankara is a city of nearly 5 million people, and as such you can find nearly anything here. I've never taken a martial arts class here, but I've seen lots of advertisements for them. Again it may just be a matter of accessibility for you. If you have some money and a car, there is a lot to do in this city.